Khaleda Zia skips graft cases hearing

Dhaka: Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), did not appear before a Dhaka court on Wednesday for the hearing of graft cases, citing confinement over the last four days and illness.

Her counsel filed plea for more time. The court, however, has rejected the petition but exempted her from appearing at Wednesday's hearing, bdnews24.com reported.

The BNP chief's lawyers filed a petition to review the court's decision, which was also rejected. The court went on with its proceedings to record statements of the plaintiff of the cases, said Anti Corruption Commission deputy director Harun Ur Rashid.

The Third Special Judge's Court of Dhaka is hearing the "Zia Orphanage Trust" and the "Zia Charitable Trust" graft cases at its makeshift premises set up at the Aliya Madrasa grounds.